How To identify the right career path for yourself

How to identify the right career path for yourself. 
(For those who are looking to work outside their scope of study) 

The Do’s and Don’ts.

The Do’s are basically what you should look out for. Pointers that will strategically guide you on your road to success.

1. What it is that you love to do either at your leisure or that you love to do without being forced to? That you have a natural inclination to? 

For instance, you notice that when there is a family occasion you have a thirst to organize everything.

From what time the event starts, to how the event is planned as well as ensuring all duties are assigned accordingly. If you do this naturally without expecting anything in return. 

Have you considered being a Project Manager?

While working as a Graphic Designer, I noticed that I liked to play with Excel, Word and PowerPoint. When I started as an entry level HR, I found that tools I played with at leisure were becoming a part of me.

My affinity to have things done formally also helped in the HR line.

2. Try an Internship in the field you love. If the opportunity hasn’t opened for an entry level role for the career path you are trying to take. Look for organizations that are willing to have you on board for a short period of time.

You can call it testing waters, but career experts see it as a way of developing and refining your skills.

However, if you are already in a path but your org allows ‘job shadowing’, then speak to your manager to see if you can learn about a role/ job that you have affinity for.

For me, I was able to get into HR as an entry level officer without prior HR knowledge. The company I had worked for tested us with an aptitude test where I scored the highest. Bare in mind, that many of the questions were based off the things I had a natural inclination for.

3. Network with people in the field you are looking to take a career path in. 

Your brilliance, excellence or outstanding results will open doors, but you also need to network and seek professional guidance from those that have done it before you.

Remember when Jamie Fox talked about looking up to Sidney Poitier? 

Sidney is the first black man to win an Oscar and it was only right that he looked up to him as an actor. Jamie later won an Oscar for his outstanding performance in Ray Charles' autobiography - Ray.

For me, I was fortunate to get guidance from my senior colleague who I had worked in the same org with. 

As someone who was successful in the field, I found it comfortable to talk to him and ask questions when I needed directions.

4. Make a Career Path and Set Objectives. This can be as simple as:

a. Find what I like to do
b. Find an internship / job shadow / entry level position
c. Develop and refine my skills
d. Gain adequate experience
e. Get a certification / Educational Qualification in the field

f. Explore more opportunities to grow 
g. Map out a career chart

As simple as this might seem, it can be the absolute guide for which you make career based decisions that continuously lead to your success.

The Don’ts are basically what you shouldn’t do when thinking of mapping out your career path.

1. Everyone is doing it, so I should / can too. 

No. 

Stop.

It doesn’t work that way. 

If you find yourself in a society where everyone is geared towards going for what jobs are in vogue, or what job is paying the highest now, then you aren’t setting yourself up for success.

Have you asked yourself questions like: 

Is this what I like to do? 
Is this where my strength lies? 
What is the industry progression about this field in the future?

Are you just blindly going into it like a character from 'Bird Box'?

2. I have an uncle who has a Bank and has asked me to go study accounting. That’s very good for you but remember you will spend maybe 4 years in the university. 

In four years, anything can happen.

The board can change between those years and knock your uncle off. 

Economy standings can lead to merger of your uncle’s bank or even worse. You might find, eventually, that you do not love accounting. Then you find yourself blaming your uncle but yourself.

Remember, that even the holy books have warned us not to put our trust in men.

3. Don't choose a path because the job pays very high. 

Yes, it does, but are you going to live for the pay check or for the job satisfaction itself?

Many times, people wind up in a career path that is unsuitable for them because they primarily went into if for the money.

For me, when I got into HR, I did not look for data as to what HR were earning, and I even thought HR was only about hiring and firing.

But, it was just a job that fit into the things that I love to do naturally. Things that fit my style as a person. Look at us today.

4. Finally, know yourself. Don't ignore your interests, aptitudes and values. 

Also, focus on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

Please if you have more to add or share that can help one or two people on how to chose the right career path, kindly comment in the comment section.

Thanks.